After successfully reviving The Karate Kid franchise with Cobra Kai, creators Josh Heald, Jon Hurwitz, and Hayden Schlossberg are accelerating ahead with a new project: a feature film adaptation of Knight Rider for Universal Pictures. The trio is in early talks to write and produce the movie via their production company, Counterbalance Entertainment. Additionally, Hurwitz and Schlossberg are being considered for directing duties.
The film’s production team includes heavy hitters: Kelly McCormick and David Leitch from 87North (known for The Fall Guy) alongside Gary Barber and Chris Stone from Spyglass Media Group. Universal execs Matt Reilly and Tony Ducret are overseeing development on the studio side. An earlier screenplay draft by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider laid some groundwork, but the Cobra Kai team is now shaping the project’s direction.
Nostalgia Meets Innovation
The original Knight Rider ran from 1982 to 1986 and starred David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight—partnered with K.I.T.T., a talking, AI-equipped Pontiac Trans Am. It became a cultural icon for its futuristic crime-fighting setup. Earlier attempts to revive the franchise—including TV movies and a short-lived reboot—never flourished long-term. But with the nostalgia-friendly spin the Cobra Kai creators have mastered, fans may finally get a fresh, action-packed reboot that honors the original.
What the Future Holds
Plot details, casting, and release dates are currently under wraps. Whether David Hasselhoff will participate remains unconfirmed, though he has previously expressed interest if the project maintains a retro feel. As the creators build on their reputation for revitalizing 1980s IP for modern audiences, anticipation is running high.
